Mick Burke – former guitarist with Sydney, Australia-based thrash metal band Mortal Sin – died on August 30th, 2017 at the age of 50.

Mortal Sin issued the following statement through their official Facebook page: “Just had a phone call from Wayne [Campbell, ex-Mortal Sin drummer] that Mick Burke has passed away. Mick was our guitarist in the late 80s who was responsible for nearly all of the songs of Face Of Despair and was an awesome songwriter and guitarist. He had many health issues over the last decade or so and he will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace Mick, when we find out when the funeral is we’ll post up here for anyone who wishes to pay their respects.

Mick Burke was born on February 15th, 1967 and grew up in Blaxland, a town in New South Wales, Australia.

In 1985, Burke was a co-founder of the thrash metal group Slaughter Lord. After Slaughter Lord split-up in 1987 the guitarist joined fellow Sydney thrashers Mortal Sin, appearing on the band’s second full-length studio album Face Of Despair, which was released in April 1989. Mick Burke left Mortal Sin 1990.